FIFE COUNCIL leader David Ross has demanded a meeting with the Scottish Government in a bid to secure the future of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge freight ferry service.

Last month the Press reported that there was serious doubt the connection would continue with ferry operators DFDS saying the route would no longer be viable with the introduction of new EU legislation on air pollution.

Due to the new EU Sulphur Directive, which starts on 1st January, DFDS announced they were going to review operation of the Rosyth Euro-ferry.

Councillor Ross has written to Transport Minister Keith Brown MSP to ask for the chance to discuss the issue and to ask that the funding be identified to ensure the service was maintained.

He said, “This new legislation will have a serious bearing on DFDS’s ability to deliver a commercial service without imposing additional costs onto their business customers.

“There is significant doubt among the local business community that customers could afford the increase which could render the route not viable.

“This will also impact all shipping operators providing services from Scotland, both now and in the future.

“Scottish Government and Fife Council have a shared interest to ensure Scotland’s exporters and its trade partners have direct access to a direct freight service to mainland Europe.”